Skills of a Stand Up Forklift Operator
A forklift or a powered industrial truck is a piece of heavy machinery found in factories and in warehouses. They are utilized to move and transport bulk items which are too heavy to carry or lift by hand. There is some particular training complete in order to be able to safely operate a forklift. Most employers prefer a high school degree. Because the forklift is a heavy piece of machine it can be dangerous if not handled correctly, thus, the skills of the driver are extremely necessary.
Good Judgment
In order to estimate the weight of a load, the forklift operator has to have good judgement, able to judge both the weight and height of the cargo. Knowing the particulars will help to ensure that both the forklift and load would fit it designed area. It is important to have good judgement in order to negotiate tight turns and move the forklift around obstacles in order to be able to competently drive the equipment in reverse.
Concentration and Reflexes
Required lift truck operator skills include excellent hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. For example, if a stack of objects in a load or a pallet is off balance and about to fall, the driver has to be able to respond quickly and try to fix the issue. To be able to prevent accidents, a high level of concentration is required when using and working in the vicinity of these machines.
Adaptability
Among the top skills of a forklift operator is that they need to be adaptable to the work surroundings. This can be continually changing depending on the job. Some forklift tasks need operators to be exposed to harmful materials, dangerous machinery, loud noises, fumes or odors. Work atmospheres and warehouses could be busy places. The lift truck operator should be able to keep a cool head and an eye toward safety overall. Furthermore, a lot of forklift jobs require being outdoors to transport things or unload supplies; hence, the driver must be ready at the possibility of working in poor climate.
Machine Maintenance
Drivers should be able to follow instructions and understand how heavy equipment works. Operators need to learn how to double check an OSHA safety checklist and be able to make certain that the horn, the lights, the steering, the forks and the brakes, along with other components are working at an optimal level.
The operator of the forklift should also be able to correctly maintain the forklift and need to know when something is not working properly. An important part of lift truck truck training is also being able to explain machinery problems to mechanics.